WORK to lay 400kV cables under the Mendip Hills is finally complete.

The work started on February 2021, and since then 102km of cables have been laid (the distance between Bridgwater and Gloucester) by National Grid and Balfour Beatty engineers.

The scheme - called the Hinkley Connection Project - will bring low carbon energy from Hinkley Point C to six million UK homes and businesses and will also allow for more capacity on the network for renewable energy from the South West peninsular.

READ MORE: Area of Mendip Hills free of pylons for first time since 1960s

The underground cables are placed in four cable trenches, approximately 2m wide, 1.8m deep, and a few metres apart. The soil was carefully removed and stored, and the bottom of each trench lined with sand.

The cables are delivered on huge drums and installed in ducts, laid in lengths of between 650m and 1km and joined in jointing bays, where a temporary tent is installed to make sure the cables are safely connected in a clean dry environment.

The next steps involve a programme of jointing and testing with energisation, which is expected to take place in autumn.

Reinstatement of the land is already underway.

James Goode, project director for National Grid said: “Completion of the installation underground cables in the Mendip Hills is a huge milestone for the project, bringing us a step closer to bringing low carbon energy to six million homes and businesses across the UK.

"The project continues with construction of pylons - including the world’s first T-pylons - along the route between Hinkley Point C and Seabank substation, with completion due in 2025.

“We want to be a good neighbour and work with local charities and organisations like the Mendip Hills AONB Unit along the route of our project, supporting initiatives like Counting on Mendip and other projects.”

The Mendip cables section of the project is expected to be complete by the end of 2023.

Once work is completed and existing WPD pylons removed in summer, this part of the Mendip Hills AONB will be pylon free for the first time since the 1960s.

Last week, representatives from the AONB Unit visited to see the works.

Jim Hardcastle, manager of the Mendip Hills AONB Unit, said: “Placing the cables underground clearly requires complex engineering solutions but it also reinforces the importance of the AONB status.

"The status recognises the Mendip Hills as one of England’s finest landscapes and loved by many people.

"Organisations should go above and beyond the normal levels of delivery in such a special place like this.

“The visit helped our understanding a lot so we can transfer this to others who ask us about it - especially the reinstatement after the work is completed.”

To find out more about the Hinkley Connection Project, visit hinkleyconnection.co.uk.